FIFA confirm new plans for revamped Club World Cup

FIFA have confirmed the Club World Cup will expand to 32 teams from 2025.

Originally a tournament solely for the winner of each continent’s major club competition, as well as the champions of the host nation, the Club World Cup has now been expanded drastically to try and replicate the feel of a World Cup.

“The new men’s Club World Cup will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed. “The 32-team tournament will go ahead, making it like a World Cup.”

There had been plans to expand the tournament to 24 teams in 2021 before the tournament was postponed due to Covid-19, but FIFA have one-upped themselves with a new, even larger format for 2025.

Chelsea are the current holders of the Super Cup, having seen off Palmeiras in February, but reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid will lead the charge for Europe in 2022, with Infantino confirming plans for the next tournament to be held in Morocco in March.

Infantino also revealed plans for a FIFA World Series, which would be a new friendly tournament played during the March international break with countries from different confederations linking up for more competitive action.